TOKYO, July 18 Reuters Nearly a quarter of Japanese companies have adopted artificial intelligence AI in their businesses, while more than 40 have no plan to make use of the cuttingedge technology, a Reuters survey showed on Thursday.

The survey, conducted for Reuters by Nikkei Research, pitched a range of questions to 506 companies over July 312 with roughly 250 firms responding, on condition of anonymity.

About 24 of respondents said they have already introduced AI in their businesses and 35 are planning to do so, while the remaining 41 have no such plans, illustrating varying degrees of embracing the technological innovation in corporate Japan.

Asked for objectives when adopting AI in a question allowing multiple answers, 60 of respondents said they were trying to cope with a shortage of workers, while 53 aimed to cut labour costs and 36 cited acceleration in research and development.

As for hurdles to introduction, a manager at a transportation company cited anxiety among employees over possible headcount reduction.

Other obstacles include a lack of technological expertise, substantial capital expenditure and concern about reliability, the survey showed.

The poll also showed 15 of respondents have experienced cyberattacks over the past year and 9 had business partners that suffered cyberattacks during the same period.

Asked about damage, 23 of those that suffered cyberattacks themselves or had business partners that were targets said business was temporarily…